The Interaction Between Interleukin-29 and Toll-Like Receptor-4 in the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Background and aims: The Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) signaling pathway and its interaction with cytokines are involved in insulin resistance (IR) progression, primarily through activating adipose tissue macrophages. Interleukin-29 (IL-29) has been suggested as a potential contributor to IR. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the relationship between TLR-4 and IL-29 expression alterations in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Methods: Overall, 60 participants were enrolled, comprising equal numbers of newly diagnosed T2D patients and healthy controls. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was employed to determine the messenger RNA expression levels of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), interleukin (IL)-29, TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF), and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). Moreover, serum IL-29 concentrations were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed through SPSS 16. In addition, an independent-sample t-test was used to compare the data between the two groups. Ultimately, the relationship between variables was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Overall, IL-29 serum levels were significantly increased in the T2D group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Additionally, the gene expression levels of IL-29, TLR4, TRIF, and IRF3 were markedly upregulated in T2D patients relative to healthy individuals (P<0.001). Conclusion: These findings revealed that IL-29 overexpression is linked to the activation of the TLR-4 pathway, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of IR in T2D.